Core Focus

How to choose a translation vendor

Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo

The thought of purchasing a new product or service can seem overwhelming at times. I know that when I need a high-quality product, I tend to research the item or service I’m looking to buy for some time before I buy it. Note that “high-quality product” doesn’t necessarily equate to “expensive.” For first-time car buyers, for example, the process of researching efficiency and safety, test driving and closing the deal can be stressful. There are so many people involved and things can seem unsure for a while before a deal is finally reached, but finding the right car that fits your needs and taste is the goal. In this way, first-time translation buyers are a little like first-time car buyers. If you don’t know much about languages, there can be a sense of uncertainty at first about what dialect of a language is needed or how much is a good price for a translation project — but if you can find a high-quality, professional agency, then the process can actually be quite smooth. Here are some tips for choosing a translation vendor. The majority of the tips are based on the idea of selecting a translation agency; however, some clients prefer to stick with individual freelancers. This is often a personal choice, but the process is quite similar. An agency will most likely provide multiple services and quality assurance (QA) processes that many individuals do not have set in place, so take this into consideration when deciding what will work best for you. These tips are meant to guide you through the selection process, although there may be more steps to the process or fewer, depending on your translation needs. . .

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